Method and apparatus for opening and emptying paper containers



L. PLUSQUELLIC METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPENING AND EMPTYING PAPER CONTAINERS 5 Sheets-Sheet l EQ w INVENTOR. LOUIS PLUSQUELLIC /s ATTOENEVS.

Nov. 27, 1956 Filed nec. 21, 1951 Nov. 27, 1956 L. PLUSQUELLIC 2,772,009

METHOD AND APPARATUS FoR OPENING AND ENPTYING PAPER CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 21, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3.

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FIG. 2.

/S A TTOENE YS Nov. Z7, 1956 PLUSQUELLIC METHOD ANO APPARATUS POP OPENING ANO EMPTYING PAPER CONTAINERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 2l. 1951 INVENTOR. LOUIS PLUSQUELLIC F'IG-4.

/7/5 ATTOIZNVS' United States Patent O METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPENENG AND EMPTYING PAPER CONTAENERS Louis Plnsquellic, Pittsburgh, Pa., assigner to National Dairy Research Laboratories, Inc., Islip, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application December 21, 1951, Serial No. 262,830

Claims. (Cl. 214-305) The present invention relates to a method and Aapparatus for opening and emptying paper or cardboard containers and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for salvaging the contents of milk containers.

Prior to the present invention, milk distributors have employed time consuming and -ine'licient methods of handling returned milk in paper containers. One of the usual methods of salvaging the milk is to employ an operator for prying open the lid or jabbing a hole in each container yand draining the contents. Likewise methods of breaking the .container open on the edge of a milk can or forcing it against a cutting edge not only are slow but also result in considerable loss of product through failure to drain the contents of the containers completely.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for emptying liquid from a paper container speedily, completely, and hygienically.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for cutting open .containers successively and yet simultaneously draining a plurality of containers.

A lfurther object is -to provide a knife havin-g a blade suitably shaped for partially severing containers in an incisive manner with minimum resistance.

Yet another object is to provide an arrangement for sliding emptying containers along -a draining trough without exposing the draining surface to contact with the exterior of the containers.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an endless conveyor which is adapted to receive containers on their sides. The conveyor pushes each container laterally against a knife which cuts through the lower side and the two Vertical sides, leaving the upper side undamaged. The container is then carried past a spreader which forces apart the severed edges causing the ends of the :container to pivot upwardly about the upper side at its intersection `with the plane of the cut. The container is then supported on the severed edges in an open position with the ends raised above the middle portion and slid along a separator until the contents are drained into a receiving Vat. Finally, the empty containers are dropped off the conveyor into a waste bin.

In order that lthe invention may be more fully understood it will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation view, partly in section, of a container cutting and dumping apparatus showing `a conveyor for feeding containers to a draining trough;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus showing the top of the conveyor and front and rear guide fences;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the draining trough showing the container-cutting knife, edge spreader and halves separator;

Figures 3A, 3B and 3C are views of transverse sections of the draining trough taken along the dashed lines 3A, 3B and 3C, respectively, of Figure 3 in the direction indicated by arrows; and

Figure 4 is a side elevation view on a larger scale of the knife showing a preferred configuration of the lblade.

Referring now to the drawings, ya horizontal receiving table 11 is mounted on a metal frame 12 of generallyrectangular outline. The frame 12 is provided with four legs 13 which preferably -terminate in swivel casters 14. Horizontal braces 15 are provided along the front and the two ends of the frame to stiifen the legs 13. The rear, however, is left clear in order to permit the frame 1 2 and the table 11 to 'be rolled over a receiving v-atv16. n

Positioned longitudinally through the center of `Vthereceiving table 11 is an endless conveyor 17. The conveyor comprises a roller chain 18 on the links of which at plates 19 are welded. At equal recurrent distances, for example, on every fourth plate 19', upright spacer studs 21 and 22 are afxed. The spacer studs 21 and 22 are spaced equally on either side of the center line of the conveyor 17 and the tips of the ystuds diverge in the transverse plane. The roller chain 18, which supports the plates 19 and the recurrent studs 21 and 22, is carried at either end of the frame 12 on toothed sprockets 23 and 24. The conveyor 17 is driven by a motor 25 through reduction gearing 26, a sprocket 27, and a roller chain 28 which engages a sprocket 29 keyed to the same shaft that -mounts the conveyor sprocket 24.

Partially surrounding the sprocket 24 and extending the entire length of the fram-e 12 lbeneath the -conveyor 17 is a draining trough 31 having substantially vertical sides 30. The -trough 31 is supported by the frame 12 -on longitudinal angle irons 32 for ready removal for cleaning. The draining trough 31 is formed with a semicylindrical portion 33 which serves to guard the sprocket 27 and to guide the containers fed to the conveyor 17. Next in the :direction of travel of the conveyor 17 is a generally flat cutting portion 34 containing a knife 35. The knife 35 is secured in a vertical position to a horizontal mounting plate 36 which is received into a well 37 in the draining trough 31. The mounting plate 36 is secured by wing nuts 38 beneath the trough 31 in order to permit easy removal of the knife 35 for sharpening or replacement.

The knife, as clearly shown in Figure 4, is formed wlth a point 39 adapted to puncture the vertical side of a container intermediate the upper and lower sides thereof. An upper cutting edge 41 curves upwardly from the point 39 and joins a horizontal top edge 42. An intermediate cutting edge 43 sweeps backwardly and joins a lower cutting edge 44 in an open gullet 45. The lower cutting edge 44 rises from a point 46 that lies somewhat to the rear of the point 39.

Immediately behind the knife 35 is a spreader member 47 having a substantially triangular shape both in plan and in cross section. The horizontal edge 42 overlaps a portion of the spreader member 47. Supported between the spreader member 47 and an end member 48 is an elongated separator 49 having a triangular cross section. The separator 49 is spaced above a draining slot 51, which is normally over the vat 16. The draining trough 3) from the knife 35 to the end member `48 has its bottom sloping inwardly and downwardlytowards the draining slot 51. v Y

A waste bin 52 placed at the open end 53 of the trough 31 to catch the empty containers as they are pushed off by the spacer studs 21 and 22 is provided. A guard 54 covers the discharge end of the conveyor 17 to protect the operator.

In order to adapt the apparatus for handling quart, pint or half-pint containers, adjustable front and rear guide fences 54 and 55 are provided on the receiving table 11 parallel to the conveyor 17. The guide fences 54 and 55 have horizontal mounting lugs 56 attached to the lower portions thereof. The lugs 56 are formed with slots 57 therein extending transversely of the conveyor 17. Studs 5S, which are xed to the table 11, project through the latter when tight bear against Vthe lugs 56 and secure the fences 54 and 55 in position. The fences 54 and 55 may Y ,beadjusted ftowardvor away from each other to accommodateffthe' particular size of container being handled. The .rear fenceSS vextends the'full length of the table V3.2i, curves .around ;the end -of the conveyor Y17 inside the Sernicircular. ,r'aortionra of the-trough 31 and terminates oppositeihe knife 35, The front fenceSft commences slightly in advance of the entrance to the trough 31 with a converging'portion 61 and then parallels the rear fence 55 to the knife 35. VThe front of the-table 11V has Vno-lipin prderttofacilitate loading containers on the conveyor -17. l AIn operation containers are placed on top of theA table 11 iyith-.oneend against the rear fence 55. The .middle portionof-each container is supported by the plates 19 of i .the conveyor and separated from the adjacent container .by-the spacer studs 21 and 22. As theitop of the conyeyor 1-7 travels toward the entrance of thejdraining trough 31,7the containers are carried past the converging portion .61:ofthe front guidefence 54 which adjusts for .any ftransverse misalignment in the placingof the containers. The containers are then taken one by one around Y,the semi-cylindrical portion 33 ofthe draining trough ,3i

atwhch time they-gently fall oit the conveyor plates 19 and'slid'e along the surface of the trough 31. The containers upon reaching thefiat portion 34 of the trough are propelled by the succeedingspacer studs 21 and 22 against the knife 35.-

`e,knife 35ginitially penetrates the middle part of the side ofthe container substantially halfway between the two ,ends thereof. YThe puncture in the side of the con- .taineris extended upwardly and downwardly as a result ofthefshape of the blade. As the studs 21 and 22 force thec'ontaine'rpast the'knife, the-lower corner of the container-,isfctlt `while` the slit is travellingito the ,top edge o f 'the`container. Finally, when the side of thecontainer reaches depth of the Vgullet 45 the entire leading side of the container is divided. The height of the knife 35 isV spiicientlyless than the height Vof the cross section ofthe container tol-ensure that the upper side of the container is not cut through and may serve as a hinge on which-the container may be hung.

` The y spreader member 47 acts to displace progressively the severed edges of the container so thatthe sealed ends thereof are gradually raised above the severed middle portion, and all portions ofthe container are tilted inwardly and downwardly. :In this position the containers are slid for a substantial distance along the separator 49 giving time for the contents to drain completely through the open space beneath the separator `49 and out of the drain slotr51 into the receiving vat i6. When the emptied containersreach the end of the draining trough 31 they fall into the waste bin 52.

It is ,to be understood lthat the knife 35 may be replaced by a generally similar knife of suitable height when containers .having a different cross sectional dimension are to ble cut open.

vItis apparent that the apparatus may be easily adjusted tohandle different sizes, but it should be noted that tubularand conical containers as well as containers of rectangular cross section may be dumped. In all cases the draining container is hung on the clean interior surface of its top side orfupper portion as it passesrover the draining slot51. This minimizes the danger of contaminating the salvagedliquid.

wWhile the receiving table 11 and the conveyorf17 are kept reasonably clean, only the draining trough 31 and theknifeneed be sterile since the contents of the containers only come in contact with these latter members.

Although the invention has been illustrated by a com- Vmercial milk container cutting and dumping machine whichprocesses 58 containers each minute, the underlying inventive .concepts may be embodied in widely varying apparatus as :corcling to the l particular application; Y,conse- 1. In a paper container opening and emptying appa- Y ratus, means for moving containers in a given path, a knife in the path of travel of the containers for slitting an intermediate portion of each container, a member behind said knife in the path of travelof :the container for spreading apart the severededges-of each container and for supporting leach moving container on certain of the ,severed edges while the contents of the container drain.

2. In a paper container openingand emptying apparatus, means fory moving containers in a given path, a knife in the path of travel of the containers for cutting through an intermediate portionof eachk container with the exception of an upper surface portion, a wedgeshaped member behind the knife in the path of travel of the containers for spreading VYappart the cut edges of Yeach ,containen and a supporting Amember behind said wedge-shaped member for receiving each moving -container from said wedge-shaped member Iand holding said container in open positionwhilethe contents thereof drain.

V3. .In a paper container opening and emptying apparatus, means formoving containers in a generally hori- Yzontal plane, a knife in the path of travel of the containers for cutting each container almost into two parts, leaving only an upper ysurface portion intact, a wedgeshaped member behind said knife for spreading apart the vcut edges of each container, and a YSeparator to the rear of said wedge-shaped member forsupportingreach moving containerV on v.the vcut edges Vwhile the contents of a .knife having .a substantially vertical blade extending Y upwardly into the path of travel lof the containers for cutting through the lower portion of eachcontainer leaving ,an upper portion intact', a Vwedge-shaped member behind said knife for splitting each container at the cut lower portion and bending the containei-,upwardly about the intact upperportion, and aseparator having an erect generally triangular cross sectional outline extending from the rear of said Vwedge-shaped member for supporting each moving container while the-contents thereof drain. 5, Inap-aper container opening and emptying apparatus, a draining trough, means for pushing containers` sidewise along saiddraining trough, a knifeiin said trough for-almost severing Veach container substantially at'the middle portion thereof, wedge-shaped means for spreading yapart vthe cut edges ofeach container'to open the same, and a separator for slidably supporting each opened container on the unsevered part of the middle portion thereof until the contentsiare emptied intosaid trough. Y

6,. A paper containeropening and emptying apparatus comprising an endless conveyor having transversely bifurcated spacers for'restraining backward slippage of aV Vcontainer laid thereon, a draining trough beneath said behind ,said knife for opening a container by forcing apart the'severed edges of the same, and aseparator for slidably supporting/an opened container above said draining trough @on .the inner surface ofthe upper side'of said container. Y Y i f7. YA knife for a paper container opening and emptying.apparatuscomprising a pointed portionforpierciug the side of a container, an uppercutting edge sloping upwardly from said pointed portion to a v-,h'orizontal straight edge, an intermediate-cutting'edge.sloping downwardly from said pointed portion,i'a'ndra'lowervcutting edge rising from a position rearward 'of said pointed portion and joining 'said intermediatelet'l'ttiug edge inV a' rounded glu it v .t

8. A method of opening and emptying paper containers comprising puncturing a generally Vertical surface portion of a container between :'ts upper and lower surface portions at a point intermediate the horizontal extremities of the container, extending the puncture upwardiy and downwardly, cutting through the lower surface portion of the container to form a second cut, extending the second cut upwardly toward the downwardly extending puncture, terminating the upward extent of the puncture short of the upper surface portion of the container, joining the downwardly extending puncture and the upwardly extending second cut to sever the container substantially in two parts with the exception of the upper surface portion, bending at least one of the two parts of the container upwardly to separate the severed edges of the container, and supporting the container on at least one of the severed edges while the contents drain.

9. In a method of opening and emptying paper containers the steps comprising puncturing a generally vertical surface portion of a container between its upper and lower surface portions at a point intermediate the horizontal extremities of the container, extending the puncture upwardly and downwardly, cutting through the lower surface portion of the container to form a second cut, extending the second cut upwardly toward the downwardly extending puncture, terminating the upward extent of the puncture short of the upper surface portion of the container, and joining the downwardly extending puncture and the upwardly extending second cut to sever the container substantially in two parts with the exception of the upper surface portion.

10. A method of opening and emptying rectangular paper containers comprising laying each container on its side, puncturing a generally vertical surface of the container between its upper and lower corners at a point intermediate the ends of the container, extending the puncture upwardly and downwardly, cutting through the bottom corner of the container to form a second cut, extending the second cut upwardly toward the downwardly extending puncture, terminating the upward extent of the puncture short of the top surface of the container, joining the downwardly extending puncture and the upwardly extending second cut to sever the container substantially in two parts with the exception of the top surface, bending at least one of the two parts of the container upwardly to separate the severed edges of the container, and supporting the container on at least one of the severed edges while the contents drain.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,270,683 Appelbaum June 25, 1918 2,140,021 Mallen Dec. 13, 1938 2,463,276 Hrabarchuk Mar, 1, 1949 2,571,781 Sutch Oct. 16, 1951 

